Within the Roger Pirates, Silvers Rayleigh and Scopper Gaban have long been recognized as the two most powerful figures after Gol D. Roger himself. Both played crucial roles in voyages that reshaped the world of One Piece, yet their roles, fighting styles, and life choices differ greatly.
Here are five standout differences between these two legendary members of the Roger crew.
1. Position in the Roger Pirates: “Right Hand” and “Left Hand”
Silvers Rayleigh, known as the “Dark King,” served as the official first mate of the Roger Pirates. He was regarded as the most powerful figure after the Pirate King, often stepping in to lead the crew and take part in critical decisions.
Meanwhile, Scopper Gaban never held a formal title but is commonly called Roger’s “left hand” by fans. He was one of the crew’s main fighters and was entrusted with leading forces against the Whitebeard Pirates during the Wano arc flashbacks, highlighting his special status within the crew.
2. Strength and Fighting Style
Rayleigh is considered one of the strongest characters of the Roger era. Even in retirement and advanced age, he was able to hold his own against Admiral Kizaru at the Sabaody Archipelago, a feat few characters in One Piece have managed.
His most fearsome trait is mastery of all three types of Haki: Observation, Armament, and especially Conqueror’s Haki. Rayleigh can use advanced Haki techniques such as attacking without direct contact, backed by extensive combat experience.
Scopper Gaban remains more mysterious in terms of strength. However, the manga reveals he possesses extremely keen Observation Haki. During the Elbaf arc, Gaban was the first to sense the overwhelming Haki emanating from the castle, while even Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and nearby giants failed to notice.
This detail suggests Gaban’s sensing abilities might be at a very high level, though fans have yet to see his full power.
3. Completely Different Weapons
Rayleigh fights with a sword, combining it with supreme Haki to create a calm yet highly effective combat style. Though he hasn’t showcased many sword fights, every time Rayleigh draws his blade, it reflects the skill of a top swordsman.
In contrast, Scopper Gaban wields two axes as his main weapons. His style emphasizes brute strength and overwhelming close-range power. Choosing dual axes over a sword sets Gaban apart visually from Rayleigh and hints at his physical prowess and ability to deliver devastating blows.
4. Life After the Roger Pirates Disbanded
After Roger’s execution, Rayleigh retired from piracy and lived quietly on the Sabaody Archipelago, working as a ship coating specialist while keeping his identity hidden for years.
Despite this, Rayleigh quietly watched over the new generation of pirates. He became Luffy’s mentor during the two-year timeskip, helping the Straw Hat captain master Haki and prepare for the New World.
Scopper Gaban vanished from the story for a long time. It wasn’t until the Elbaf arc that Eiichiro Oda officially brought him back, revealing that Gaban lives peacefully in the land of giants.
Not only that, he married a giant woman and has children. This life contrasts sharply with his years of seafaring battles, though this peace was soon disrupted when the Holy Knights attacked Elbaf.
5. Frequency of Appearances in One Piece
Silvers Rayleigh appears frequently in both the manga and anime. He debuted at Sabaody and later appeared at Amazon Lily to assist Boa Hancock during the Blackbeard Pirates’ attack. Rayleigh plays a crucial role in many story turning points and serves as a bridge between the Roger era and the new generation of pirates.
In contrast, Scopper Gaban mostly appears briefly in flashbacks. He once showed up on a cover page alongside Crocus, but it took a long time before Oda confirmed that character was Gaban, as many readers initially mistook him for Shiki.
Only in the Elbaf arc does Gaban get significant screen time, revealing more about his life and role in the One Piece world.